“Within A Week He’s Running The Defense”
June 3rd, 2019
Bucco Bruce Arians was smooth in front of the national television cameras Friday.
Hopefully, he’ll be sought for more interviews like that one. They will come if the Bucs win freakin’ games for a change.
If not, well, Arians will be ignored and viewed like most big-name free agents who come to Tampa.
During this spot on ESPN, Arians was fearless in his praise of rookie linebacker Devin White, the No. 5 overall pick. Joe says “fearless” because Arians won’t hesitate to call White the face of the defense and a guy he expects to kick ass.
“Within a week he’s running the defense, guys are following him,” Arians told the national TV audience. “He’s just a natural because first of all he’s a very smart young man. He came in, grasped the defense, can call it in the huddle, makes the checks and proved to them that he can handle that job.”
White has so, so much on his shoulders. It’s almost like he’s a No. 1 overall pick quarterback landing on a terrible team that was just quarterbacked by Josh McCown. There is that much pressure on White to deliver from Day 1.
Joe’s expectations aren’t has high. If White can hit a groove by November and look like a consistent, potential Pro Bowler through the second-half of the season, Joe will be ecstatic.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:08 am
My expectations are very high for Devin White and I believe he will meet them…..he is a special kind of player….perhaps a once in a generation performer.
He wants to lead, he needs to lead…..he can lead.
I can’t wait to see him in action.
He will make us forget all about Josh Allen.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:12 am
TBBF … Josh who?
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:15 am
Smart is good.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:15 am
That’s my dog !
I Can’t wait to see him on Sundays
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:19 am
I am convinced we made the right pick…..when we lost Kwon, we lost more than a MLB…..and when we picked White….we gained much more than a MLB.
I can’t wait for the day….and it won’t be long….when Joe agrees.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:23 am
If kwon could step in and succeed right away, what makes anyone think Devin can’t come in and be the man right away. He was clearly better than kwon in college.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:28 am
I think Devin White will be a Perrenial All-Pro and potentially the best player this franchise has ever had….
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:38 am
It’s an Aquarius thang,we born wit that leader s@&$. Really never seek it but those around always seem to want us in that position. Lord knows I’ve turned down a number of positions cause I rather not bark out orders to other humans.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:41 am
Long story short,this young Aquarius Perfect for this role. He got so much mind I tell you.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:53 am
White will hit a groove by the first quarter of preseason, Joe! I’ll bet beers on it.
June 3rd, 2019 at 9:54 am
Smart player + extremely physically gifted = (should anyway) Great player.
We know that everyone on the NFL has the physical gifts. As always, the difference makers are heart and mind.
I haven’t picked up a #45 jersey just yet, but I think I am greatly looking forward to it.
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:07 am
I hope White is the real deal. It will be great to finally have a real leader on defense for once…
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:09 am
That’s why we drafted him over a D end, there’s so much more he brings to the defense then a pass rushing end.
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:18 am
YES!!
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:33 am
Refreshing to have a leader on the team. I think David was a little bit, but if White is the guy, great. Bucs haven’t had a true leader in years.
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:37 am
Well had we drafted an edge rusher the expectations would have been high also.
Comes with the territory for a high draft choice.
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:41 am
Right, whens the last time our 1st rd draft pick has actually performed like a 1st rd draft pick? Mike Evans or O.J. Howard?
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:55 am
This is what media covering their respective teams had to say to this point about some of the picks we were considering. Joe probably wont report this since it makes his rants before the draft seem silly. The only thing silly here is you thinking a team being cautious with a rookie’s injury somehow retroactively drops the guy’s draft stock. Joe will cheer for Devin White as hard as you do. –Joe
Training camp is a long ways away but love the changes we’ve made.
DE Nick Bosa: Getting an early read on Bosa has been difficult after a Grade 1 hamstring strain slowed him in the team’s second OTA.
DT Quinnen Williams: Williams hasn’t practiced because of a calf-muscle injury that occurred on the first day of OTAs
DE Clelin Ferrell: Though Ferrell checks off all the boxes when it comes to being a foundation player off the field — leadership, discipline, strong character — it’s his on-field persona that will be tested. He does have a solid pedigree as an edge rusher, but some in the organization wonder if he is “mean enough” on the field.
ILB Devin White: White has been everything the Bucs hoped — an impact playmaker and a vocal leader for the defense. He’s grasped Todd Bowles’ system very quickly and has been leading the defensive huddle since Day 1.
OLB Josh Allen: Allen suffered a bruised knee in the first OTA and hasn’t participated since.
DT Ed Oliver: Oliver is expected to be the Bills’ starting three-technique defensive tackle by the start of the season, but they are making him earn his reps with the first-team defense. Most of those snaps in the OTAs open to reporters have gone to Jordan Phillips
ILB Devin Bush: The Steelers thrust Bush into the starting rotation right away, and his coverage skills have been on display. He has shown the ability to get into passing lanes with his quickness. The team wants to expedite his learning curve. Defensive end Cam Heyward said Bush needs more bass in his voice if he’s going to call plays.
DE Montez Sweat: Man, does Sweat look the part: long arms, well-cut body. It’ll be hard to gauge where he’s truly at until they begin padded practices in training camp, but he has stood out against backup offensive linemen
June 3rd, 2019 at 10:55 am
White compared to Ray Lewis. Enough said.
June 3rd, 2019 at 11:11 am
Race to 10 I’ve been aware of some of those nicks experienced by other draftees just decided to be quiet about it. Didn’t wanna ruffle ant feathers around here. When asked last week jags DC stated josh Allen is playing 4/3 DE for them. He said he aware he occasionally dropped into coverage in college but be won’t doing any of that for jags. Feel sorry for the kid.
June 3rd, 2019 at 11:13 am
LB is one of the easier positions in the pros to transition to from college. That’s why so many of the defensive rookie of the year winners are LBs and not DEs or DBs.
White will be fine. We drafted a 4th rounder and he came in and excelled as a rookie (Kwon). Pretty sure White is an upgrade over him out of college.
June 3rd, 2019 at 11:29 am
Ok Joe pretend like there was no negative talk about Vea in his rookie offseason when he got hurt first day pass came on. Nice twist on the words but has nothing to do with draft stock, that time is over they are professionals now but I guess Injuries only derail rookie seasons and slow development for the bucs and no one else.
June 3rd, 2019 at 11:57 am
I was never a fan of Kwon Alexander running the defense. A decent tackler but poor in pass defense. He was overrated and a tad above average at best.
June 3rd, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Here’s hoping White is all he is cracked up to be. He does look short in the pic above, like a compact mini mauler.
June 3rd, 2019 at 12:03 pm
@nosbos
My daughter is an Aquarius. So was Bob Marley!
Leaders for sure!
June 3rd, 2019 at 12:31 pm
@ Alabama
I agree Kwon was overrated. We was actually a horrible tackler. He led the league in missed tackles… He had a few great games. No doubt. But his entire body of work here was lackluster at best…
June 3rd, 2019 at 2:07 pm
Kwon had the lack of availability problem, he wasn’t on the field often.
Anyway Joe it would be interesting to see a Bucs draft board–curious where they had Bosa and Allen ranked and other things–seems after the fact now they shouldn’t care if we see it.
June 3rd, 2019 at 4:03 pm
See ball get ball I’m sure he going to be fine. He may even be great !
June 3rd, 2019 at 7:53 pm
I read that greedy is already starting as the 1st string cb
June 4th, 2019 at 6:17 pm
What TBBF said!
IMHO White absolutely LOVES this pressure! If you’re gonna be “tha man” expect pressure. White sees being “tha man” as his destiny. He has confidence, desire, and talent. He’s going to tear it up barring injury of course.